Shopping bag



Nov. 28, 1950 J. F. SPAHR I 2,531,954

SHOPPING BAG Filed Feb. 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l0 2 7 INVENTOR.

I I6 JamesEj pahr ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1950 .J. F.'SPAHR 2,531,954

I N VEN TOR.

Jam sfi'fpahr ATTD RN EYS Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOPPING BAG James F. Spahr, Washington, D. C. Application February 10, 1948, Serial No. 7,459

2 Claims.

My present invention relates to an improved shopping bag of the type comprising a flexible tubular bag secured at its open bottom to a folding bottom, and adapted to be stored within the folded bottom for carrying when not needed as a shopping bag.

In carrying out my invention I use a pair of hinged receptacles into which the flexible bag may be inserted and when it is desired to use the device as a shopping bag, the flexible bag is removed and the bottom receptacle pushed through the tubular bag in which position the folding sections will remain flat and the stress on the edge of the bag where it is secured to the periphery of the receptacle sections, will be lessened at the securing point and spread over the contact area.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention according to the best mode I have thus far devised, but it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device housed in the closed receptacle looking at the front.

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking toward the hinged rear of the closed receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle open and showing the flexible bag therein.

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the bag and the open receptacle before inversion and partially broken away for clarity of observation.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the device inverted and ready for use, partially broken away for clarity.

Fig; 6 is a similar view in end elevation.

Referring now to the drawings wherein I have shown the present preferred embodiment of my invention, I use a pair of open receptacle sections 2 and 4 hinged at 6 on pin 8, and having outer walls I 9 and i2 respectively.

A chain 14 secured to the hinge structure has a ring 16 for manual use in carrying the closed device, or in pulling the sections through the bag Hi.

This bag is of flexible, suitable, material and the lower edge is located Within the walls of the sections and folded outwardly at 20 and secured at 22 to the bases of the sections Zand 4.

straps 24 extend down the sides of the bag and 2 under the sections and are provided with handle loops 26. As seen in Fig. 3 the flexible bag may be folded and laid into the opened sections which may be then closed and secured by latch 28.

For use the device is opened as in Fig. 3 and the bag raised. Then the open sections are pushed through the bag and the same inverted to the position of Figs. 5 and 6 so that the lower portion of the bag extends down and under the walls and then up.

By this means the supporting stress is divided from the securing point and spread partially to the edge of the wall, and the sections are so located that they cannot fold or hinge when the bag is filled.

To store the bag when no longer needed, the ring is pulled through the bag pulling the sections therethrough and the bag may then be folded into the compact receptacle for easy carrying.

Thus it will be apparent that the bag of my invention may be neatly stored in the compact receptacle when not needed as a bag, and the bag may be quickly and easily converted into a conventional shopping bag with a minimum of eiiort.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A shopping bag of flexible material and tubular shape having a hinged base receptacle provided with side walls forming a solid bottom for said bag when in use and when reversed providing a hinged closure for storing said bag.

2. In a collapsible shopping bag of flexible material and tubular shape, a hinged base receptacle having side walls, said receptacle being secured to the lower outside edge of the bag and providing a solid bottom for the bag when in use and when reversed providing a hinged closure for storing the collapsible bag.

JAMES F. SPAHR. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

547,391 Great Britain Aug. 25, 1942 

